Diamond Head

I finally conquered Diamond Head!  Twice!

What did I learn?  I learned that I'm out of shape!  We tried to be at the top during sunrise...  I should have applied what I learned from my hiking days and left unnecessary items behind!

For example, why did I bring a 50mm, battery grip (holds two batteries), 28-135mm and 100mm.  In reality all I needed was the tripod body/head, camera, and 16-35 (AND if I had them, a couple of ND Grads with holder...I didn't buy it in time for this trip). 

It's interesting how the same image or scenery can be interpreted in various ways.  Even my friend below agrees with me.

I tried hand holding an ND Grad but I failed to produce acceptable results.  On my second visit, I left the extra lenses and accessories.  The other side of Diamond Head is a view of Waikiki.

The weather was perfect and the clouds came out!

When I was shooting most of these images, my friends were probably halfway down Diamond Head.  I could have spent another hour looking for a different angle.

On the way down the path, I stopped by a couple of spots to shoot these.

Yes...weeds...bush...whatever.  It was interesting to me.  Especially, when I made some black and white.

On the way to the parking lot, I saw them waiting for me.  They were probably talking about breakfast.  Maybe the white rice and sunny side up (over well) with furikake sprinkles on top!  Thanks for your patience A and D!  I hope you enjoyed these photos.  Below is not from Diamond Head but a view from my hotel balcony.  I was bored that night.

I noticed that the clouds were ever present that night so what the heck.  I shot a series of images and created a timelapse.

I wanted to add music in the background but finding royalty free music is a pain.  Besides, the more I watch it, the more dream like it feels.  I get this smooth and hurried feeling.  Weird!  On that note, adios!  Thanks again for reading my blog.  If you're still reading this, consider yourself cool.

The Oahu Chinatown Experience

You have to go see the old lady from Chinatown...  So my friend and I decided to check out Oahu's Chinatown.  I haven't been there in a long time.

Knowing that there are interesting things to see, I brought my trusty 40d.  We walked around the streets for a while.

 Checked out different shops.

Before I continue, there is something you need to know about my friend and I.

We love to eat!  We try different kinds of local food.  Go for something different.  Something we don't usually find in our area.  No, I do not want McDonalds, Red Lobster, Sphagetti Factory, or Denny's!  What we found in Chinatown was awesome!  At a fruit stand, I ate a Chico fruit.  I haven't eaten that since I was 10 years old.  It was as good as I remember.  You gotta have some!

The second time we visited Chinatown, we found our way to the food court!  Heaven!

Wait!  You're probably thinking... "That's not Chinese food!  That's Filipino food!!!"  You're right!  It is.  I've been looking for Filipino food around the island... this is where they are hiding.  I didn't eat that though.  I can go to Carson or Cerritos to get my fill.  Instead, we got something different.

Let the feast begin!  The food was sooo good that my friend grew very old within minutes!

Nah, the old guy was a customer of the "Old Lady from Chinatown."  If that old Chinese dude was eating it, it must be good!  I don't know what it was but the taste and price was just right.

For less than 5 Benjamin Franklin's, it was bomb!  We've been to Jimbo's, Marukame, and Pho Bistro 2...for some reason we always talk about the old lady from Chinatown.  She's #1.  Don't get me wrong, Jimbo's , Marukame, and Pho Bistro 2 were also awesome but for the price and taste...

In our third visit, we brought another friend.  We wanted her to check out the old lady from Chinatown.  Alas, the old lady went on vacation... store was closed for the duration of our stay!  Booooo!  Oh well, we kept walking and we found more interesting things. Hehehehe. (NOTE:  The pics here were taken during our second visit but we saw this same thing on our third visit.)

Yup, those are live frogs!  Not purchased as a pet.... =*(  Walking pass the little devils, we saw these...

That's right!  You just saw several pairs of chicken feet.  Sorry if that grossed you out! =p

I don't remember the name of this fruit but it was pretty good!

Lastly, we found a food place to get the BEST fried/baked pork belly and pork Chinese BBQ.  The best I've ever had... really.  The best!  It was fresh, crunchy, and tasty!  Droooool.

We had a good time walking around Chinatown.  The next time I visit Oahu, I'll definitely come back to see the old lady from Chinatown and the pork belly/bbq.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I hope you had a fun time seeing Oahu Chinatown through my lens.  Remember, work hard and play harder!

Knee Deep In Landscape Photography

I typed "landscape photography" in Google's image search engine and I get hundreds of beautiful landscape photos.  I looked at these inspiring images and places with awe and wonder.  Prior to learning photography, I asked myself, "How am I going to capture an image like that? Where is that place?  There's no way I can do something like that!  You need a super-duper high-end camera to take that shot!"

I've been shooting for a couple of years now and when I see these well composed and well exposed landscape shots, I tell myself, "I can do that!  f16...long shutter...on a tripod...nd grad filter...shutter release cable...etc.   That's easy to do.  It's just a matter of being at the right place and at the right time."  Hahaha.  Not so fast!  Being a landscape photographer is not as simple as it looks.

Not only do you have to find the right scenery.  You also have to think about the environment.  Is it foggy, dusty, windy, misty?

If it's any of those, get ready to clean your lens every other minute!  Or find a way to cover the lens prior to taking the shot!  It was a PITA.  I had a great spot to shoot but I deleted that whole set of images when I saw it in my computer.  I was looking forward to showing it to you! Oh well.  I'll do a better job next time...

Aside from the environment, you have to think about your gear.  Don't leave it in the car when you are parking in the middle of nowhere!  Cover it up.  In this case, don't flaunt it if you've go it.

It's also about timing.  Once you arrive to a spot that you like, take a deep breath and look around.  Think of the camera settings while you  assemble your gear.  Picture in your mind what you wanted to capture.

Do you know where I captured these images?  Well, do ya???  Maybe these will give it away.

I had a great time in Oahu.  Almost every evening, I walked around the city.  Carrying my camera bag and my aluminum tripod.  And each morning, my shoulders ached!  But it was all worth the hassle!  I finally took some pictures that I envisioned.  But I still have a lot to learn and gear to buy (Wifey, please let me buy it!).

Remember, don't forget to turn around or look down!  I was intrigued at what I found.

This is a great example of being unprepared...  I'm not going to tell you why!

And this is what happens when I'm bored...

And oh by the way, having the top of the line gear helps... If you have the money, get it.  I sure don't.  I shot these with my Canon 40D, 10-22mm, and 100mm.  Buy the top of the line lenses if you can.  You'll be buying camera bodies faster than replacing a high quality lens.  Lastly, here's my first timelapse.

Thanks for checking out my blog.  I haven't shot that much lately but I'm hoping this will change in the next few of weeks.  See you around!